Did You Know That Nigeria Has More HIV-Infected Babies Than Anywhere In The World? See Shocking Report By Prof Isaac Adewole
The Federal Government has confirmed a report which ranks Nigeria first on the list of countries with high record of HIV-infected babies via mother-to-child transmission in the world.
This report given by an international survey was confirmed by the Federal Government on Tuesday through the minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole who confirmed that Nigeria presently has not less than 3.1 million persons living with the virus.
The government confirmed local and international indices that affirmed that Nigeria produces 30% of children born with HIV/AIDS internationally, The Sun reports.
Speaking with newsmen at the launch of a roadmap on implementation of the national treatment and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS in Abuja, on Tuesday; Adewole said that the situation is a cause for worry and requires joint action of all stakeholders with the support of global partners for effective intervention.
Adewole said the roadmap has been designed to give proper guidance and direction on how best to offer treatment to HIV patients in Nigeria and also protect unborn children from contacting the virus through infected mothers. The minister also confirmed that Nigeria has 3.1 million people living with the virus, out of which 1.1 million people have been under proper and timely treatment funded by the federal government. He said he was impressed with the commitment of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to the cause of proper and timely care for patients with the virus.
Adewole stated:
“There is no reason why Nigeria should be the highest producer of babies infected with HIV because, we have put in great efforts in the past. Obviously, more is required to achieve more results.”
He also expressed hope that the revived fight against the virus would bring about significant decrease in the spread of the virus and will increase the attention given to people living with the disease.
This is sad. More needs to be done to sensitize mothers on how to avoid transferring this disease to their babies.